Food and beverage stores industry had retained earnings of $52.6 billion in Q1

The food and beverage stores industry reported retained earnings of $52.6 billion in the first quarter of 2019, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The term “retained earnings” reflects a company’s net income that remains after it pays out dividends to shareholders. The remaining funds can be used for company expansion and other purposes.

The Census Bureau’s Quarterly Financial Report (QFR), which was released in June, presents industry data based on information from about 11,000 corporations. The data comes from income and earnings statements, balance sheets and other records from manufacturers with assets of at least $250,000, the bureau said.

Other statistics come from companies with at least $50 million in assets in the categories of mining, wholesale trade, retail, professional and technical services, and information.